Chapter 53

"Why can't I enter the room!"

As I shouted in frustration, the maid with a terrifying expression glared at me.

"Miss Shina is still getting ready. It is most ungentlemanly to barge in while a lady is preparing herself!"

She is an old maid who has served for a long time, second in authority only to the head maid. I have never once been able to win an argument with her.

"But I've finally come back! Just to see her face..."

"Does His Highness Prince Jinklett have the despicable habit of peeping at a lady in her undergarments?"

"U-undergarments...!"

I couldn't help but start imagining, and my head started to heat up. What nonsense! I don't have such a lewd habit!

"Of course not!!"

"Then please wait. How many times must I tell you that you cannot enter a lady's room without prior notice!"

Her stern words left me speechless. Indeed, I often visit Shina's room whenever I have the chance. I know I should send a message and wait for a response, but...

"I end up here before I realize it. ...There's no helping it."

At my pitiful words, the maid sighed deeply.

"Ah, there you are! Master Jinklett! Acting on your own again!"

Barry, with a vein popping on his forehead, ran over.

Damn! I've been found.

"I told you to change into your dinner attire, didn't I? Seriously, as soon as your report to His Majesty was over, you rushed off. But it's a relief to know exactly where you are!"

Barry hit me on the head. I'm royalty, you know? That's disrespectful!

"...I understand. Please wait a moment. Ah, Miss Maid, I apologize for my behavior. However, if I don't see the goddess's face, I might melt away like the legendary Aquelost. Could you please show me that divine appearance, my beloved?"

Barry bowed respectfully. A smile appeared on the maid's face.

The legendary Aquelost was a knight who fell in love with a goddess and died on the battlefield without ever seeing her. He pined for her until the end, and his body melted away like pale snow. The goddess, moved by his plight, made him her only knight in heaven. It's a legend passed down in the Marita Kingdom.

I used to think what a weak man he was, but now I understand! I really understand! The thought of never seeing her again makes me want to die.

"Then, my lord, would you like some tea while you wait for the beautiful goddess to finish getting ready?"

With that, the maid finally opened the door to Shina's room.

I was led to the reception room, where tea and pastries were prepared, but Shina didn't come out for a long time. Occasionally, I could hear the maids shouting from the adjacent room where she was getting ready, but I hoped she was okay.

"Really, calm down, Master Jinklett. Didn't you say you would keep your distance from Miss Shina and act more mature?"

"I am keeping my distance! I'm this far away!"

"The 'No Contact with Miss Shina' plan only lasted a day. Didn't you say that if you didn't contact her, she might start noticing you?"

"If I don't see or hear from Shina for a day, I'll die."

"You won't die! Are you an idiot?"

Barry shouted at me, and I shut my mouth.

I realized I was in love with Shina during the Kylart street attack, but I hesitated to confess my feelings to her.

There are several reasons, but the biggest one is that Shina is still young.

Compared to when we first met, thanks to Old Sand's dietary guidance and medication, she has grown a little. She is still light when I pick her up, but she is much healthier than when her bones were visible. However, for her age, she is still small. If I were to desire her thin body, the answer would be no. As a large man, I might break her. She is only 15. I should wait and watch her grow into a woman.

"It doesn't seem like you have that luxury, though."

Barry muttered. His eyes seemed to say, "You coward."

"Miss Shina is a rare individual. Once her abilities are known, every country will want her. His Majesty has revealed Miss Shina's existence to the Naris Kingdom. Do you understand what that means? It means her value has leaked to other countries. His Majesty is serious about rewarding our country's benefactor. If the most suitable man for Miss Shina is in another country, His Majesty is prepared to let her leave the Marita Kingdom. If you don't get serious and drop your half-hearted thoughts, you won't even be in the running, and Miss Shina will be taken away."

Barry's words shook me.

"But... Shina is still young."

"That's why I'm saying she looks young but is quite mature inside! You know that, don't you? If you approach her seriously, even with her aversion to royalty, she will face you honestly! I'm not saying you should marry her right away. But if you don't tell her how you feel, she will really be taken by someone else. Stop making excuses and running away. Don't make me think that the Prince Jinklett I serve with my life is such a coward."

Barry's angry voice was interrupted by a maid coming out of the adjacent room.

"Please wait. Miss Shina is ready."

I stood up from my chair without thinking. Barry looked displeased, as if he still had more to say, but he quickly changed his expression to a friendly smile.

The door opened quietly.

I expected Shina to come out energetically, so I smiled in anticipation.

A delicate woman walked out hesitantly.

Kiri followed behind her, supporting her with a gentle expression.

Her soft brown hair was loosely tied up, revealing her slender neck. Her lively black eyes sparkled, her fair skin was tinged with a slight blush, and her plump lips were painted with a touch of red. Her collarbone and the rounded curve of her chest were flawlessly white. Her blue chiffon skirt flared out, and a red ribbon around her slim waist added a touch of accent.

"Jinklett! Welcome back!"

Her anxious expression turned into a bright smile, piercing my heart.

My heart raced, and I felt my face flush.

"Jinklett, what's wrong?"

The woman approached me without a care, looking up at me with a worried, adorable face. My eyes were drawn to her neck, collarbone, and chest, and my heart beat even faster.

"...Shina?"

I stood there, trying hard to keep my voice from trembling. The woman before me, who looked so different and beautiful, was my Shina.

The girl I thought was cute, small, and still a child had somehow become a woman with a dangerous charm.

"I'm glad. Jinklett, you're back safely. Are you hurt?"

Shina took my hand and enveloped it in both of hers. I couldn't help but pull her closer. As I embraced her slender waist, I caught a whiff of a sweet scent.

"Ah? Jinklett? Don't pull me suddenly, I might fall in these high heels."

"You're beautiful... I'm surprised."

I couldn't take my eyes off the beautiful person in front of me.

"You look wonderful. It's as if you're wearing my colors. I'm happy."

As I muttered in a daze, Shina's face turned bright red.

"U-um, I remember you said the dress color is like your eyes, so I chose this one."

Her words were as sweet as an aphrodisiac.

"I love the color of your eyes. They're beautiful, like the summer sky. I love them."

Her radiant smile squeezed my heart.

How far will you corrupt me?

Barry is right.

There is no time to waste. Such a beautiful flower will be plucked by someone else in no time if I just watch.

I released Shina's body and kissed her fingertips.

"Wait for me."

I told Shina and left the room.